A METALS firm has been ordered to pay £185,000 in fines and costs over the death of a father of three crushed in an industrial accident.

Melloy Limited, of Treforest Industrial Estate, was given 10 years to pay the £100,000 fine and additional costs after pleading guilty to three breaches of Health and Safety rules.

Paul Thorngate, 44, of Gethin Terrace, Porth, was crushed by more than 1,600lbs of aluminum car parts while working a weekend shift at the Melloy Limited factory in Treforest in November 2006.

The delay in bringing the hearing before a judge at Cardiff Crown Court had been caused by the timing of an inquest which had to be held into the circumstances in which Mr Thorngate was killed.

His death was a tragedy which could and should have been avoided, said Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC.

Mr Thorngate was killed when a wire holding an overhead hoist failed, sending a basket of metal car components down on top of him.

The container of aluminium castings had been suspended in readiness for loading into an oven as he passed beneath it.

The hoist had not been erected by qualified specialists when the company moved premises from Pontyclun to the Pontypridd site in 2005.

Simon Parrington, for the Health and Safety Executive, said Melloy’s directors had not conducted a suitable risk assessment.

Mr Parrington said: “Not only was Mr Thorngate put at risk but all those who used the equipment were similarly exposed to risk of just such an accident occurring.

“Had it been thoroughly examined prior to use, following its installation, the necessary adjustments could have been made and the accident avoided.

“From the evidence it is clear that sooner or later the failure of the wire rope was inevitable.

“We say the tragedy was wholly foreseeable and avoidable.”

Mr Thorngate had been an employee for 27 years and was one of several men who would work overtime at weekends or overnight.

The company issued a statement, saying: “Melloy Ltd deeply regrets the circumstances which led to this tragic loss of life and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Paul Thorngate.

“Melloy remains committed to maintaining and investing in the highest possible safety standards and considers the safety of employees to be of the utmost importance.”

Mr Thorngate’s partner, Jayne Beer, said: “Words cannot describe how much of a gap Paul’s death has left in all our lives. He was a vibrant and fun-loving person and he was much-loved by friends, family and colleagues. His untimely death has devastated all that knew him, including his children and four brothers.

“He was dedicated to his job and worked hard to make sure his work was completed to the highest standard. If only his employers had had the same attitude and work ethic then perhaps in a different life Paul would still be with us today.”

HSE inspector Janet Viney said: “This tragic incident that has left a family without a father could have been easily prevented had the failed hoist been thoroughly examined when it was moved from one factory to another.

“If a competent person had examined the hoist, the changes which were made to accommodate its new position would have been recognised and the safety mechanisms would have been adjusted.”